Man shot dead after attacking soldier at Paris airport was drunk, on drugs

The man shot dead at Paris's Orly airport after attacking a soldier was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time, a judicial source has revealed.

Investigators are still trying to understand what motivated Saturday's assault by 39-year-old Ziyed Ben Belgacem, which led to a major security scare and the temporary closure of the capital's second-busiest airport.

"Toxicology tests carried out on Sunday showed an alcohol level of 0.93 grams per litre in his blood, and the presence of cannabis and cocaine," a judicial source said.

Evacuated travelers wait outside the Orly airport. (AAP) ()

Belgacem's father had insisted earlier his son was "not a terrorist" and that his actions were caused by drink and drugs.

"My son was not a terrorist," he told Europe 1 radio.

"He never prayed, and he drank."

Belgacem, who was born in France to Tunisian parents, grabbed a soldier on patrol at Orly's southern terminal on Saturday morning.